Kanara

Kanara, also known as Canara, is a historical coastal region on the western coast of India in the state of Karnataka. It stretches along the Arabian Sea from the northern Goa border toward the Malnad foothills in the south, and comprises parts of the present-day Uttara Kannada (North Canara) and Dakshina Kannada (South Canara) districts. The landscape blends rugged coastlines, estuaries, and the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. Rivers such as the Sharavathi and Netravati drain the region, supporting biodiversity and diverse ecosystems along the coast.

Historically, the Kanara coast has witnessed successive cultures and powers, including ancient dynasties such as the Kadambas, followed by rulers from the Chalukya and Vijayanagara empires, and later European colonial influence, notably the Portuguese on parts of the coast. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the area was administered by the British as North Canara and South Canara. After the 1956 States Reorganization Act, Kanara became part of the state of Karnataka. The region is linguistically diverse, with Tulu, Konkani, and Kannada spoken, along with Beary and other communities. Cultural life centers on temple and church towns, mosques, traditional music and dance, and coastal cuisines.

Economically, Kanara relies on fishing, coconut and arecanut cultivation, cashews, and spices, with growing emphasis on tourism and small-scale industry in coastal towns. Major urban centers include Karwar, Udupi, and Mangalore. The population is diverse, including Tuluva communities, Konkanis, Bunts, Bearys, and a mix of Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities, contributing to a distinctive syncretic culture.